Department of Education investigates sex abuse scandal at Michigan State

By Ian Simpson WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Education Department will investigate how Michigan State University handled complaints of sexual abuse by female athletes against former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar, the department said on Monday. Nassar, who worked at the East Lansing school and treated athletes there, has pleaded guilty to sexually harassing female athletes under the guise of medical treatment. He was sentenced to 40 to 175 years and 40 to 125 years in prison, respectively, in two separate hearings in January and February. About 200 women, including Olympic gymnastics gold medalists Aly Raisman and Jordyn Wieber, gave statements about Nassar’s abuse in court at the sentencing hearings, prompting the resignation of the USA Gymnastics team’s board of directors. Michigan State’s president and athletic director have resigned. The Education Department said in a statement its investigation will focus on whether Michigan State is in compliance with requirements under Title IX, a federal law that prohibits sexual discrimination at schools that receive federal funds. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said a civil rights team would soon arrive at the East Lansing campus and that she would work to ensure all students are protected from sexual misconduct. “Any institutions that fail to meet requirements will be held accountable for violations of federal law,” DeVos, a Michigan native, said in a statement. The university said in a statement it was notified of the Title IX investigation last week. “As it has done to date, MSU is cooperating fully with this and all other investigations,” it said. Michigan State also faces investigations by the National Collegiate Athletics Association, the U.S. Senate, the Michigan House of Representatives and the state’s attorney general, interim President John Engler said. The Department of Education is conducting a related investigation into whether Michigan State has complied with federal regulations on reporting crime and safety information on campus. In a related development, Republican Sen. Margaret O’Brien said in a statement that she and a bipartisan group of lawmakers would introduce a package of legislation to combat sexual assault and improve protections for survivors. (Additional reporting by Keith Coffman in Denver; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)